Step Right In

Tele skiers, take note: Rottefella's New Telemark Norm, or NTN ($350; bcaccess.com), eliminates bending to click into your binding and makes leashes obsolete. The step-in NTN is available in limited sizes for compatible boots (Scarpa's Terminator X and Crispi's Evo) this fall. Here's why all freeheelers are excited.

1) CLIMBYou can release the stainless-steel toepiece with your pole to convert the binding into its superefficient free-pivot touring mode. Plus the heelpiece flips up to serve as the climbing bar.

2) RELEASEOfficially, Rottefella won't call the NTNs "releasable," but, don't worry, they are. Even better, the release mechanism is adjustable. And thanks to alpine-style brakes, you (finally) don't have to worry about losing your skis in a fall.

3) CUSTOMIZEWith four swappable spring-power cartridges, you can choose from soft (like old three-pin bindings) to extra-rigid (nearly as firm as an alpine binding).

4) SWITCHWant one binding for your whole quiver? With NTN's quick-changing mounting plates ($55 each for extras), you can swap the setup to your other premounted skis in a minute.

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